Healthcare professionals in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Source of social support to fathers

The aim of this study is to show the ways in which healthcare professionals are a source of social support to fathers of premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Toulouse University Hospital, France. Mixed methods are used for data collection: A qualitative approach with a semi-structured interview as well as the Family Support Scale. The emerging themes are sources of satisfaction, importance of shared information and identification as a source of social support. The survey analysis reinforces the perceived helpfulness of the healthcare team. Finally, the importance of the NICU's staff is pointed out.